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Next-generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe possible for Australia

By Alborz Fallah |

Speaking to Australian journalists at Hyundai headquarters in Korea today, Hyundai Motor Company President & CEO, Steve. S. Yang, confirmed that the next generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe will be produced for right-hand drive markets.

Hyundai Motors Australia has previously said that if the current Genesis was available in right-hand drive, it would’ve brought the model to Australia. Although it’s still too early to say if Hyundai will bring the next-generation Genesis Coupe to Australia, the availability of a right-hand drive makes it a very strong possibility.

The current Genesis Coupe has only been on sale in the USA since early 2009, which means it’s unlikely to be replaced till at least 2014.

When quizzed about the potential for the Genesis in Australia, Mr Yang confirmed the next-generation coupe is being engineered from the ground up to be available in right-hand drive. However, the next-generation Genesis sedan (which is largely aimed at the North American market) will still be made in left-hand drive only.

Mr Yang told CarAdvice that creating a vehicle for both left and right hand drive markets may add up to 50 percent more cost to the R&D, making the business case for a right-hand drive Genesis sedan a potentially unprofitable venture.

The rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe and Sedan have enjoyed tremendous success both in Korea and abroad. In 2009 the Genesis won the North American car of the year award, a first for a Korean manufacturer.

CarAdvice believes the new Genesis Coupe will be used by Hyundai as a halo car to showcase its credentials and increase brand appreciation worldwide.

If the locally produced rear-wheel drive family sedans were to disappear, one would have to wonder if there would then be a reasonable business case for the Genesis sedan. Either way, it’s unlikely to happen till at least the third-generation.

Mr Yang also admitted that local tuning for the Australian market had been challenging, given vehicles such as the i45 had been designed with the North American market in mind. According to Mr Yang, Hyundai will continue to improve its ride & handling for future models with better tuning for Australian conditions.


 

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  • Al Juraj

    Well, if it won’t make it here, then making RHD versions will pretty much be pointless. The only other right-hand drive markets for this car will be the UK and Southeast Asia. For sure Japan will shut its doors on it.

    It’s a big shame that with all that heft of tax we pay to buy cars and keep them running, we can’t even get our hands on a broader range of models.

  • Andronicus

    Would be great for the brand. Velostar and Genesis additions to the lineup would help shed their “family car on a budget” image that has persisted for years despite making quality vehicles. Bring it!

  • TMG

    Autocar on the 18th May stated that

    ” The firms next-gen Large Genesis saloom and Genesis coupe models are likely to be introduced into the UK as Halo cars for the brand.
    The next Genesis range, due in 2013, will be engineered for RHD to cater for markets including Australia,South Africa and India”

    More comp for the FT-86 (if it ever gets here), the 370Z and others.

    Lets hope Hyundai follow through.

  • troy

    V8 model please.

    no affordable v8 coupes available here!!

    it could be a monarodai!

    …ok maybe not

  • Seymour Butts

    Well the Genesis went head-to-head with the V6 Mustang over in the states, now that the next-gen Mustang (also due in 2014) is going RHD, Hyundai is going after them on a global scale. Kudos to Hyundai

  • Labrys

    This would go to the top of my list if it does come out.
    Come on Hyundai give us what we want! :)

  • Krish

    If they brought it here with the Tau V8, I would seriously consider this as my next car….

  • DJ

    Why bother even mentioning something “might be” released in a few years time in Australia. The car industry “vapour-cars” are worse than the software industry used to be with vaporware.

    What do they think we will do? Sit and drool in anticipation for something years down the track, by which time it will be a tired concept anyway? Popel may put off purchasing for a few months, but years??? Pathetic marketing and poor product planning.